# paperback

/ˈpeɪpɝˌbæk/ (US) · /pˈeɪpəbˌæk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/paperback
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a softcover book

noun · CEFR A2

a book that has a thin, flexible paper cover instead of a stiff one.

For teachers: a book bound with a flexible paper or cardstock cover, as opposed to a rigid board binding.

- I prefer buying paperbacks because they are lighter to carry in my bag.
- The novel was originally released as a luxury hardback, but the publisher issued a mass-market paperback six months later to reach a wider audience.

### 2. having a soft cover

adjective · CEFR A2

describes a book that has a flexible paper cover.

For teachers: referring to a book format characterized by a flexible paper binding; non-gradable.

- The bookstore has a large section for paperback novels.
- The library's paperback collection is frequently updated with the latest contemporary fiction releases.

### 3. to publish in softcover

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to print and sell a book in a paperback version.

For teachers: to issue or re-release a literary work in a paperback format. Transitive — takes the book title or author as an object.

- The publisher decided to paperback the biography after it became a bestseller.
- The decision to paperback the academic series allowed the press to market the titles directly to undergraduate students at a more accessible price point.

## Examples

- I prefer buying the paperback because it is easier to carry.
- The novel was first released as a hardback, but the paperback edition came out six months later for a lower price.
- While collectors often seek out first-edition hardbacks for their durability and aesthetic value, the average reader typically waits for the paperback release due to its portability and affordability.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.